ANKLE & FOOT CENTER OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
Podiatry located in Tavares, FL
Flat feet is a common foot deformity that can lead to chronic pain or limited mobility. Podiatrist Joanne Balkaran, DPM, FACFAS, CWS, and her team at Ankle & Foot Center of Central Florida in Tavares, Florida, specialize in early intervention and surgical repair of flat feet. If you or a loved one suffers from the effects of flat feet, make an appointment today by calling the office or using the online booking tool.
Flat Feet Q & A
What are flat feet?
Flat feet are a common problem that means you don’t have arches. This causes the bottoms of your feet (soles) to make full contact with the floor whenever you stand up.
Flat feet occur for several different reasons. Sometimes, it’s the result of arches that fail to develop during childhood. Other times, it’s a result of the natural aging process or wear-and-tear injuries.
Left unmanaged, flat feet increases your risk of knee and ankle problems. If you suspect you have flat feet, make an appointment with the doctors at Ankle & Foot Center of Central Florida today.
What are the symptoms of flat feet?
When flat feet first develop, they usually don’t present any symptoms. As the problem gets worse, it’s common to experience foot pain, particularly in the arches of your feet or heels.
You might also notice that your pain worsens with physical activity or you might develop swelling along your ankle.
Who is at risk of developing flat feet?
Flat feet affect people of all ages, races, and sexes. Some things can increase your risk, though, including:
- Being obese
- Being middle-aged or older
- Having diabetes
- Having rheumatoid arthritis
You’re also more likely to develop flat feet if you injure your foot or ankle while playing sports.
How are flat feet diagnosed?
To diagnose flat feet, your Ankle & Foot Center of Central Florida provider physically examines your feet and ankles.
Your doctor also views the mechanics of your feet and asks you to do a series of in-office exercises. Your doctor might also look at the bottoms of your shoes to observe their wear pattern.
If your flat feet cause you pain, your doctor might also recommend X-rays or an MRI to get a closer look at the bones and joints in your feet.
How are flat feet treated?
At Ankle & Foot Center of Central Florida, the team usually recommends conservative, integrative treatments to address flat feet. For children at risk of developing flat feet, they might recommend early intervention with physical therapy and/or shoe inserts.
If flat feet cause you pain or your body doesn’t respond to conservative treatments, surgery could be necessary. The doctors have years of experience doing foot and ankle surgery and do most operations as outpatient procedures.
Don’t let flat feet affect your mobility and lifestyle. Make an appointment at Ankle & Foot Center of Central Florida today by calling the office or using the online booking tool.